The death toll in Tuesday’s attack on communities in the Mangu Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State has risen to 85 as the search for missing persons is still ongoing in the affected communities.   The National President, Mwaghavul Development Association, Joseph Gwankat, made the revelation while speaking to journalists on Wednesday after a security meeting at the palace of the traditional ruler in mangu. Gwankat noted that several communities were attacked simultaneously by suspected herdsmen, leading to killings as well as burning of houses and destruction of farmlands in the affected communities. Protesting women had besieged the palace of the traditional ruler where the security meeting was convened with security chiefs, district heads and government officials led by the Deputy Governor, Professor Sonni Tyoden, to address the security challenge in the LGA.   The Mishkcham Mwaghavul, John Putmang Hirse, alongside the local government chairman and district heads from the communities appealed for the deployment of reinforcements to the communities to safeguard citizens.

  US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has shed light on Tuesday’s attack on US Mission employees in Anambra State. Confirming the incident in a statement on Wednesday, Blinken noted that unknown assailants attacked a convoy of two US government vehicles in the Ogbaru Local Government Area (LGA) of the state. The convoy was said to have been carrying nine Nigerian nationals, including five employees of the US Mission to Nigeria and four members of the Nigeria Police Force. The American government official noted that the Nigerians were travelling in advance of a planned visit by US Mission personnel to a U.S.-funded flood response project in Anambra. “We do not yet know the motive for the attack, but we have no indications at this time that it was targeted against our Mission,” Blinken stated. ADVERTISEMENT According to him, the assailants killed at least four members of the convoy. “The US Mission personnel are working urgently with Nigerian counterparts to ascertain the location and condition of the members of the convoy who are unaccounted for,” he said. “We condemn in the strongest terms this attack. We will work closely with our Nigerian law enforcement colleagues in seeking to bring those responsible to justice.” The United States has no greater priority than the safety and security of its personnel, the secretary of state maintained. Expressing “heartfelt condolences” to the families of those killed in the attack, the US pledged to do everything possible to safely recover those who remained missing. “We deeply value our relationship with our Locally Employed Staff and our partnership with Nigeria. The United States reaffirms its commitment to the people of Nigeria to assist in the fight against violence and insecurity,” he said. Buhari Saddened President Muhammadu Buhari expressed sympathy over the loss of lives of the two US Mission workers and policemen. In a condolence message Wednesday, he said he was “very sad” to have heard about the killing of the embassy staff members and the officers accompanying them. “In this difficult time for the families of those killed, the American Embassy and the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, I extend the nation’s condolences over the very sad incident,” the President stated. Reward For Intel On behalf of the state and its people, Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State “strongly” condemned the attack which he described as heinous and unprovoked. According to a statement Wednesday by his Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, he promised that the state government would actively work with the security agencies to smoke out the criminals and bring them to justice. “We call on anyone with information on the identity or whereabouts of the criminals to offer same on our secured security phone numbers or to any of the security agencies and such informant will be handsomely rewarded. Investigations are underway,” he said.

  The Federal Government on Wednesday renamed the Ministry of Aviation to the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace. The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika said that aviation and aerospace were intertwined and Nigeria had the need to proactively set its policies to align with future occurrences. The Minister made the announcement at the sidelines of the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, in Abuja. Sirika explained that the alteration became expedient because it is on the exclusive list. He, however, maintained that the future of aviation had experienced an advancement such that aviation and aerospace were intertwined and Nigeria had the need to proactively set its policies to align with future occurrences. The minister further linked the development to the establishment of the African Aerospace and Aviation University in Abuja.

  The Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party on Wednesday expressed anger over the telephone conversation between the United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken and the President-elect, Bola Tinubu. Blinken pledged stronger ties between the US and Nigeria during a 20-minute telephone call to Tinubu, who is in France. The US Department of State spokesperson, Matthew Miller, in a statement said Blinken spoke with the president-elect on Tuesday. The development came 24 hours after the Joe Biden administration announced the imposition of visa restrictions on Nigerians who allegedly disrupted the recently concluded elections. The US said the affected persons were involved in voter threats, results manipulation, physical violence, and other activities that undermined democracy. The identities of the culprits were, however, not made public. But dismayed by Blinken’s communication with Tinubu, the PDP standard bearer, Atiku Abubakar, who is challenging the ex-Lagos State governor’s victory at the tribunal, said the Secretary of State’s assurances of bilateral cooperation contradicted the position of the US on the general election in Nigeria. The former vice president was referring to a statement issued by the US government on March 2 in which it acknowledged the complaints and frustrations expressed by some Nigerians about the manner in which the presidential election was conducted and the shortcomings of the technical elements used in the poll. Also, the Chief Spokesman for Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council, Yunusa Tanko, said it was worrisome for Blinken to be discussing bilateral relations with Tinubu. During the phone conversation, Blinken said he was committed to further strengthening the US-Nigeria partnership with the incoming administration of the president-elect. Miller said the two leaders “discussed the importance of inclusive leadership that represents all Nigerians, continued comprehensive security cooperation, and reforms to support economic growth.” The statement read, “Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke this morning with Nigerian President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu to emphasise his continued commitment to further strengthening the U.S.-Nigeria relationship with the incoming administration. “The Secretary noted that the U.S.-Nigeria partnership is built on shared interests and strong people-to-people ties and that those links should continue to strengthen under President-elect Tinubu’s tenure. ‘’Secretary Blinken and President-elect Tinubu discussed the importance of inclusive leadership that represents all Nigerians, continued comprehensive security cooperation, and reforms to support economic growth.” Also, a statement from the Office of the President-elect, signed by Tunde Rahman, said Tinubu told Blinken that he would hit the ground running and unify the country on his assumption of office on May 29. He further pledged to work to ensure continued positive relations with the US, adding that his immediate priorities would be to deliver institutional reforms and development programmes to deepen our democratic institutions and bring help to poor and vulnerable Nigerians. Rahman’s statement read in part, “Asíwájú Tinubu spoke during a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Initiated by the US diplomat, the telephone discussion, which was frank and friendly, took place on Tuesday evening. Tinubu assures US “The President-elect said his immediate priorities would be to deliver institutional reforms and development programs to deepen our democratic institutions and bring help to poor and vulnerable Nigerians. “He also expressed his determination to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and faithfully serve the people as their president. “During the talks that lasted about 20 minutes, President-elect Tinubu recalled being granted asylum by the US when he was forced into exile during his struggle for the restoration of democracy in Nigeria, and, while reaffirming his democratic bona fides, expressed his absolute belief that the result of the elections, which he clearly won, reflected the will of the Nigerian people. “He further urged the US to factor in Nigeria’s important place in Africa and provide needed assistance in the areas of security and economic investment in order for the nation to lead the way and be a shining example to the rest of the continent. “Secretary Blinken assured that Nigeria should expect a good and mutually-beneficial relationship with the US.’’ “He promised to play his part in ensuring and sustaining a cordial relationship between the two nations, saying a democratic and peaceful Nigeria is important to the United States as it is to Africa. “Both President-elect Tinubu and Secretary Blinken ended their discussion with pleasant greetings and a promise to keep the channels of dialogue and communication open, whilst maintaining a strong relationship between the two nations”, the statement added. But reacting to the US engagement with Tinubu on his verified Twitter handle @atiku, on Wednesday, the ex-vice president said he was in disbelief that the US top diplomat could give legitimacy to what he described as the sham election of February 25. He tweeted, “I am in disbelief that Secretary Antony Blinken called Tinubu, a contradiction to the publicly stated position of the US on Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election. ‘’This is inconceivable considering that America, as the bastion of democracy, is well briefed on the sham election of February 25. To give legitimacy to the widely acknowledged fraudulent election in Nigeria can be demoralising to citizens who have hedged their bet on democracy and the sanctity of the ballot.’’ The Deputy National Youth Leader of the PDP, Timothy Osadolor urged the president-elect not to get carried away by ‘’a mere phone call from a United States official.’’ He added, “Tinubu and his co-travellers should not be fooled by the phone call from the Secretary of State of the United States government. It is not an endorsement of his person or his hotly contested and smeared purported victory. ‘’Rather, the United States government knows the importance of maintaining a strong relationship with the powerhouse of Africa in its current challenge as the world superpower. With the BRICS nation at its jugular economically, China at her tail economically, militarily, and technologically and the top spot of world power, it makes sense for the USA to be looking for strategic allies around the globe and make no mistake, in the community of nations.’’ Osadolor argued that the Blinken phone call could

  Thursday 18 May 2023 Uncertainty as Nigeria Air fails to fly 11 days to Buhari’s handover Varsity admission with tears: Direct entry applicants sleep rough at JAMB office I regret backing Tambuwal to become Speaker – Gbajabiamila FG renames aviation ministry Anambra Attack: We’ll Work With Law Enforcement To Bring Culprits To Justice – US Court Drama: How Apapa Led ‘His Gang’ To Accost Me For Seat – Osuntokun Plateau Killings: Death Toll Rises To 85 Amid Protests, Calls For Reinforcements Resident Doctors Tackle FG, Begin Warning Strike 2023: I Confronted APC Asking Why They Did Not Choose Osinbajo – Obi Umahi Suggests Three Tenure, 70-Year Age Limit For Legislators ‘A Meddlesome Interloper’ – Labour Disowns Lamidi Apapa Presidential poll: Drama as Labour Party factions clash at tribunal 10th NASS Leadership: Tension as APC NWC throws contest open INEC opposes Obi’s request for televised proceedings Court issues bench warrant against Amaechi, Tonye Cole for ‘failing to honour invitation’ FG Moves To Replace Striking Doctors With Ad-Hoc Staff Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

  Wednesday 17 May 2023 Strike: Doctors shun talks, medical tourism gulps $3bn in three years N’Assembly leadership: APC warns Akpabio, Abbas against upset Strengthen anti-corruption agencies, FG advises Tinubu Four Killed As Gunmen Attack US Consulate Convoy In Anambra Shelve Your ‘Warning Strike’, FG Advises Resident Doctors Foreign Mercenaries Behind Plateau Attacks, Says Gov-Elect Tinubu Meets With Kwankwaso In France, Discusses Govt Of National Unity Alleged Cocaine Deal: Court Bars Lawyers, Journalists From Trial To Protect Witnesses Buhari Returns From London After Two Weeks Guinness World Records Releases Fresh Statement On Hilda Baci Importation Of Goods Nigeria Can Produce Should Be Banned – Minister Alleged Culpable Homicide: EFCC Suspends Two Officers, Police File Charges Against Them Lagos Govt Alerts Commuters Amid Plans To Inaugurate Dangote Refinery Court Restrains NYSC From Publishing Disclaimer Against Enugu Gov-Elect FG Kicks Against Proposed Five-Year Compulsory Service For Doctors 10th NASS inauguration: Come early, avoid Saraki-like coup, Adamu tells Akpabio, Barau, others Police deny killing of four US citizens in Anambra DSS, Police, military raid terrorists’ hideouts in Kano, Kaduna, recover arms Man shoots elder brother, cuts off head, private parts Nigeria needs new international airport in Lagos — FAAN Unfair for South to occupy leadership of all arms of govt— Yari ‘Assault’: Court orders police to grant Seun Kuti bail after 48 hours Soludo: When I took office, 8 LGAs were controlled by criminals under guise of agitations You must do your duties without excuses, Sanwo-Olu advises governors-elect 10th Assembly: Leadership Crisis Deepens As North Central Govs Reject Tinubu’s Candidates Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

  A man has been arrested by the police in Cross River State for shooting his elder brother to death with a gun and cutting off his head and private parts. The man whose name was given as Ekapong, weekend, in Epiebi ward, Ekori in Yakkur Local Government Area of the state, shot his elder brother, Ofrekpe on the farm following a dispute over palm fruits. “He went to the farm and met our father packing palm fruits, which he cut from our family palm trees into a bag and shot him dead,” Alice, daughter of the slain man told Vanguard. “He has been warning my father to stay away from the palm trees or he would deal with him but my father did not take him seriously, since the palm trees belong to the family,” she said. She said it was one hunter, who heard the gunshot and thought one of his colleagues had killed an animal and rushed over to share in the game but saw something else and raised alarm. She said when the hunter saw her uncle covered in blood, he was excited and rushed to open the bag which was beside him only to see a human head and private parts. She said other people in the surrounding farms and bushes rushed to the scene following the hunter’s shout for help and that was how the man was apprehended. Irene Ugbo, the Cross River Police Command spokesperson, said the man was in police custody and the investigation is ongoing.

  Three persons are feared dead in Ebonyi when the convoy of Dave Umahi, governor of the state, reportedly rammed into a moving motorcycle, injuring other pedestrians. The incident was said to have happened on Tuesday afternoon along the newly commissioned Muhammadu Buhari International Airport in Onueke. According to TheCable, the governor was not in the convoy when the accident happened The victims, according to reports were from Ezza South LGA of the state. A source said the accident occurred shortly after the commissioning of a flyover at Abaomege in Onicha LGA which was named after Prince Arthur Eze. “The flyover was commissioned by the governor, together with Prince Arthur Eze. But after the governor immediately left for Abuja, the accident happened,” a source said. Eric Kelechi Igwe, the deputy governor, was said to have ordered that the victims be taken to the nearest hospital for treatment. The motorcycle belonging to the victims and the Toyota Sienna vehicle involved in the accident were reported to have been damaged beyond repair. When contacted to comment on the incident, Uche Chukwura, sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ebonyi state, said she was yet to be briefed on the incident.